HEALTHNEWS.COM – The change in hormones during menopause can decrease sexual desire and arousal.
The drop in estrogen also thins out the vaginal tissue and reduces vaginal lubrication, which can lead to painful sex. Women can have pleasurable sex during and after menopause by using lubrication and communicating their sexual needs to their partners.
Menopause can affect a woman’s sex drive as the drop in hormones leads to less sexual desire, reduced arousal and decreased vaginal lubrication.
Along with a decrease in vaginal lubrication, menopause also thins the vaginal tissue, which can lead to painful sex. This can be managed by using lubrication and vaginal moisturizers.
Women can have pleasurable sex during menopause by increasing communication and intimacy with a partner and incorporating new habits to increase desire and arousal.
How does menopause affect your sex life?
Many people would think that the absence of a period would only enhance your sex drive. But this is not the truth for many women experiencing menopause.
Menopause, defined as 12 months without a menstrual cycle, sees a decrease in the hormones estrogen and testosterone, which are responsible for a woman’s reproduction and sexual functioning. This decrease in hormones can lead to a reduction in desire and arousal, as well as a decrease in vaginal lubrication and the thinning of the vaginal wall. Sex can become painful, furthering the decline in desire.
Other factors, such as additional health problems, body changes, and sleep disturbances caused by hot sweats, can also decrease sexual desire and arousal in women going through menopause.
How to communicate your needs to your partner during this time?
Communicating with your partner and managing each other’s expectations are essential to help maintain intimacy during this time.
Talk about your needs
Menopause may have changed what feels pleasurable to you or how you feel about your body. It’s important to communicate this to your partner and let them know what feels good and what doesn’t …
